Getting on Target shelves is a massive milestone—but remaining there and scaling is the real challenge.

In this session, VMG’s Wayne Wu sits down with Melissa Millo (Target), Jen Haberman (Fruit Riot), and Hayley/Stephanie (Painterland Sisters) to go behind the scenes of what it takes to launch and scale a brand inside the red circles. From aligning with Target’s category priorities and mastering retail execution to capturing the Target guest’s loyalty, you’ll get a first-hand look at the playbook for long-term retail success.

What You’ll Learn:

The Retailer Perspective: How Target partners with emerging brands to drive category innovation.

The Founder’s Playbook: Real-world lessons from Fruit Riot and Painterland Sisters on scaling national distribution.

The Investment Lens: Why velocity and strong retail partnerships are critical for modern brand valuations.

Moderator: Wayne Wu, General Partner, VMG Partners
Panelists:
Melissa Milo, Vice President, Merchandising, Target
Jen, Founder, Founder and COO, Fruit Riot

Hayley/Stephanie Painter, Co-Founder, Painterland Sisters